The Daily Habit Dermatologists Are Begging Women To Stop ASAP

Dreaming of flawless skin? You’re not alone—but sometimes the quest to get the perfect complexion can be difficult. With so many beauty products and skincare tips nowadays, it can be tricky to know where to start. From the latest social media beauty trends to well-meaning advice from friends and shelfs full of products to choose from at stores, the world of skincare can sometimes be overwhelming. Because of this, when you’re in search of a magical solution, unfortunately, not all of the methods you try will be effective and some skincare habits you end up adapting might do more harm than good and make your skin appear less than vibrant.

That’s why we reached out to dermatologists Dr. Michelle Henry and Dr. Marisa Garshick. Together they share the #1 daily habit they’re urging women to stop doing, as well as a few other daily habits women should forgo. Whether it’s failing to include a crucial step in your skincare routine, unknowingly using products with harmful ingredients or participating in TikTok beauty trends that have no benefits, they’re setting the record straight on what you should stop ASAP if you want healthier, more radiant skin.

Check out everything they have to say below. That way, you can make sure you’re not guilty of doing it in the New Year. After all, your skin deserves the best, and with our experts’ insights, you’ll have a healthier complexion in no time.

Related: Dermatologists Reveal 18 Ways To Get Glowing Skin Without Makeup

The #1 Daily Skincare Habit Dermatologists Are Begging Women To Stop ASAP

Believe it or not, both our experts are urging women to stop skimping out on sunscreen and relying just on foundation with SPF in it as part of their everyday routine.

“Women need to stop using makeup with SPF as their only form of sunscreen,” Dr. Garshick proclaims. “While some SPF is better than no SPF, makeup with SPF generally does not provide proper coverage as it would require more makeup on than most people do to get the true benefits.”

Dr. Henry further explains why not actually applying sunscreen is dangerous. “So many women only use sunscreen when they think they are going to be outside, at the pool or the park, for prolonged periods of time,” she notes. “However, you shouldn’t skip it, no matter what season it is or whether you are spending a prolonged period of time outside or not. Not only can skipping sunscreen daily/year-round lead to skin cancer, but it also can lead to your skin aging quicker.”

She continues, saying, “You want to make sure that you are combatting the decline in collagen that happens over time by protecting yourself from UV light and the free radicals that are created by UV radiation, which destroy our collagen. The best practice is to use sunscreen each and every day.”

Related: 9 French Skincare Secrets and Why They Work, According to Dermatologists

9 Other Habits Women Should Stop Doing, Dermatologists Warn

1. Stop Falling Asleep in Your Makeup

After a late night, it’s normal to just want to go to bed when you’re feeling tired and skip your nighttime routine. However, Dr. Garshick says that’s a big no-no.

“Don’t forget to remove your makeup before you go to bed because it’s such an important step to keeping your skin healthy as it reduces breakouts and irritation,” she explains. “Even if you just use micellar water, a cleansing balm or gentle cleansing makeup wipes to clean your face quickly, it’s better than nothing.”

Dr. Henry agrees about the importance of washing your face at night is, explaining, “During the day is when your skin picks up dirt and pollution which can really damage your skin over time, so if you had to pick washing your face in the morning or at night … wash it at night!”

2. Stop Popping Your Pimples

While popping zits can be super tempting, it’s not something our experts support. In fact, they are urging women to avoid doing it altogether.

“Stop popping your pimples!“ Dr. Henry pleads. “Not only can popping pimples cause scarring, but it can also lead to really nasty infections.”

Dr. Garshick agrees, explaining, “While it can be satisfying to pop a pimple and see ‘something’ come out, people also so it because they don’t want to necessarily wait for their pimple to go away and they believe if they pop it, it will make it go away faster. However, that is generally not the case and can actually increase the risk of inflammation and scarring and can actually make breakouts appear worse.”

Instead of popping it, both experts say it’s best to use acne-fighting skincare products to treat your blemishes or to seek out a dermatologist.

“Look for regimens including ingredients like retinoids, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. These ingredients work to prevent breakouts as well as to treat existing breakouts,” Dr. Garshick advises.

Related: 7 Reasons To Add Aloe Vera to Your Skincare Over 50, According to Dermatologists

3. Stop Exfoliating Every Single Day

While exfoliating isn’t bad, if you do it too much, it can be.

“Over-exfoliating can really harm your skin barrier,” Dr. Henry states. “It can make your skin rough and sensitive, and in some cases, hyper-reactive.”

She adds that exfoliating isn’t meant to be done every day, it should be done one to three times a week.

4. Stop Using Toners With Alcohol

When it comes to toners, it’s not that our experts are against them, they are just not fans of some of their ingredients.

“It’s important to note that not all toners are created equal and many toners can have skincare benefits. For example, Thayers Facial Toners are alcohol-free and can actually help to boost hydration of the skin,” Dr. Garshick shares. “However, when choosing a toner, you should avoid alcohol containing toners as these can be drying.”

5. Stop Automatically Trying DIY Skincare Trends

Even though skincare is a hot topic on TikTok and Instagram, that doesn’t mean that all of the viral DIY trends are actually good to do and dermatologist-approved.

“I always tell my patients to be careful when it comes to DIY skincare such as making masks or exfoliators with fruits,” Dr. Henry tells Parade. “Certain fruits (especially citrus fruits), when they interact with sunlight, can cause Phytophotodermatitis, which results in painful rashes, blisters, and pigmentation changes.”

Related: Doctors Are Begging You to Break This Super-Common Shower Habit ASAP

6. Stop Washing Your Face With Hot Water

If you notice your skin is always dry, it could be because you’re constantly exposing it to hot water.

“Using really hot water to wash your face and body, especially during the winter months, strips the skin of moisture,” Dr. Henry reveals. “Instead, you should use water that is a warm temperature and always moisturize afterwards.”

7. Stop Using Harsh Soaps and Abrasive Scrubs

No matter how pretty a scrub may appear or how good a soap may smell, Dr. Garshick says that doesn’t mean they are great to use.

“These types of soaps and scrubs can be hard and abrasive, leading to microtears and disruption of your skin barrier, which can lead to skin sensitivity,” she points out. “Instead, you should get in the habit of using gentle cleansers and exfoliants that are effective, but won’t irritate your skin."

Related: Skincare Experts Reveal 17 Unexpected Ways To Use Coconut Oil

8. Stop Not Making Sleep a Priority

Beauty sleep is a real thing, which is why it’s recommended that women get at least seven to nine hours of it each night. However, many women fail to do so and instead make staying up late a nightly habit.

“You should make sure you get enough sleep!” Dr. Henry stresses. “Sleep is so important to the restoration of your entire body, including your skin. You should stick to your sleep hygiene and try to get yourself on a good sleep regimen.”

9. Stop Neglecting Your Neck and Your Hands

When it comes to skincare, most women have a set routine. However, Dr. Henry mentions that their routine usually only focuses on their face.

“Women need to stop neglecting their neck and their hands when it comes to skincare!” she says. “There are so many women out there that have the face of a 40-year-old, but their necks and hands look like a 65-year-old’s. To help prevent this, women should make sure that whatever products they are using to prevent aging on their face, they are also using on their neck and hands.”

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Related: The 20 Best Facial Cleansers for Aging Skin, Tested by Dermatologists and Makeup Artists

Sources

• Dr. Michelle Henry, dermatologist

• Dr. Marisa Garshick, dermatologist